System of operating fluid-operated pumps



June 7, 1938. c. J. coal-:RLY

SYSTEM 0F OPERATING FLUID OPERATED PUMPS Filed Dec. 16, 1935 3 ShetS-Sheet 1 f/v l/f/v TOR CLARE/VCE d. COBERL y A rroR/vfx une 7, 1938. c. J. coBERLY S 2,119,737

SYSTEM OF OPERATING FLUID OPERATED PUMPS CZARf/vcf d. CoERLY A TToR/vevf.

June 7, 1938. c. J. coBERLY y 2,119,737

SYSTEM OF OPERATING FLUID OPERATED PUMPS v Filed Dec. 16, 1935 s sheets-sheet s PRESS URE FLU/ JUPPLV /GQ /4/ /7 Ii i /J /46 /77 [/v VEN TOR CLARE/vee d. Coeli/uv 40 'In fact, under this treatment of the production t Y 2,119,737 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,119,737 SYSTEM OF OPERATINGLUID-OPERATED PUMPS Patented June 7, 1938 Clarence James Coberly, Los Angeles, Calif., as'- sig'nor to Roko Corporation, Reno, Nev., a corporation of Nevada Application December 16, 1935, vSerial No. 54,557

23 Claims. (Cl. M13-.46)

- duid-operated pump units.

My invention relates to the art of pumping natural uids from wells, and relates in particular to the operation of a number of pumps in diiferent oil wells of an oil eld.

It is an object of the invention to provide a I system of pumping a plurality of wells in an oil sucker rods and shut-downs during the pullingand replacing of pumping equipment.

It is an object of my invention to provide a pumping system for a plurality of wells in which each well is equipped with a fluid-operated pump having an operating fluid inlet and a discharge outlet for the production of 'the well, together with means for diverting a portion of the production through a treating device which converts a portion of the oil eld production into a fluid suitable for use as an operating uid for the This treatment, for example, may consist of filtering the oil to remove sediment and abrasive substances therefrom and otherwise changing the characteristics of the oil. If the oil is too thick, its viscosity may be lowered by heating. If the volatile constituents of the oilare too great, the treating process may include the removal of part of the volatiles. If the oil is not ,of sufficient lubricating character for the lubrication of the parts of the pump unit with which it comes in contact, the treating thereof to produce a suitable operating fiuid may include the addition of lubricant.

fluid to produce an operating fluid, all things necessary to produce a suitable operating fluid may be done as required by the characteristics of the vproduction oil,V conditions in the wells being Aeo pumped, etc. For example, one or more of the wells may have a tendency to forman emulsion. The general process he'rein referred to as treating may include the addition of demulsifying agents which pass with the operating fluid and are combined with the oil pumped from the well so as to be intermixed therewith and rise through the production pipe to the surface of the ground.

The marked rise in overall pumping eiiciency to be obtained by the use of a fluid-operated pump unit in a well is now definitely established. v My present invention hasA for an object to further increase 4the pumping efiiciency by the simplication and consolidation of equipment so that maximum production is obtained with minimum equipment and operating expense.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pumping system of the character above described, in which a source of operating fluid is maintained, this operating fluid being placed under compression by pumping 'means and delivered to the individual wells of a pumping group. In'the invention means' are provided for controlling the ow of operating uid to the individual pump units so that the pumping action 'accomplished in each well will be controlled in accordance with the requirements of the Well and will be independent of the pumping operations of the remaining wells in the pumping system.

' It is' an object of the invention to provide a system as set forth in the preceding paragraph in which a single pressure pumping unit is employed to draw the operating fluid from the supply thereof and deliver the same under pressure through a-pressure header connected with the inlet pipes of the various pumping units, there being control means connected with the inlet pipes of the pump units for controlling the pumping'actions eifective in the individual wells. In a pumping system of this character, some of the wells may be pumping from diie'rent levels than other of the wells, and accordingly the pressure of the operating uid required by the pump units will dier in accordance with the depth from which the oil is being pumped. The invention comprehends means for increasing and decreasing the pressure of theoperating fluid in accordance with the requirement of each well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple form of control means which'forms a part of the invention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident vthroughout the following `part of the specification.

Referring .to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only, 1.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, showing details of construction of the diife'rential-pressure control means forming a part of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a section on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View showing a means for changing the pressure-volume characteristics of the operating fluid, adapted-to be substituted for a part of the equipment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing another I In Fig. 1 I show wells II and I2 indicating the manner in which a plurality of wells in a producing field may be incorporated in a single pumping system. The details shown in conjunction with the well II indicate the general arrangement of pumping equipment to be employed in each of the wells of the pumping system. In the well I I is a fluid-operated pump unit I3 of the character disclosed in my co-pending Patent No. 2,081,223, issuedMay 25, 1937, and entitled Fluid operated deep well pump", such pump unit I3 having a pump portion I4 connected to a fluid-operated motor I5 which is in turn connected through a bleeder I5a with an operating fluid inlet pipe I6. In the preferred practice of the invention the pump unit I3 is placed near the lower end of the well, and the fluid inlet pipe I6 extends upwardly from the pump unit I3 through a discharge pipe I1 and through a suitable casing head I8 which is connected to the upper end of the discharge pipe I1 and has an outlet I9 for the issue or delivery of the production of theA well. The outlet I9 is connected to a production pipe or header 2I. The well structure I2 also includes a pump unit designated as I3a with an inlet pipe 16afor operating uid.' The well I2 has also a production pipe I9a` which delivers its production into the header 2 I.

A feature of the invention is to divert a por-v the pumping system. Whether or notthis portion is taken. from'the production of all of the wells or part of the wells is immaterial inthe practice of the` invention. Illustrative -of the general principle here involved, I show the headerl 2I connecting with the inlet 22 of a treating de vice 23 having a lowerchamber 2,4 and an upfper chamber 25.' The treating device 23 is preferably a filter such asis shown and, described -in `detail "in the patent to Coberly,` et f a1., No. 2,046,769, issued 'July 7, 19136in which I was a co-inv'entor. In. the' treatingl device 23," a standpipe 26 extends upwardly .from the lower kchamber 24 into a shell 21 mounted upon, butseparate fromythe upper chamber 25. I'he main portion of the production fluid delivered by the header 2I passes upwardly from the lower chamber 24 through the standpipe 26. From the upper end4 28 of the standpipe 26 theproduction fluid passes downwardly within the vshell 21 and is then carried throughpiping 29 .to any suitable means for disposing of the production fluid, such,

for example, as storage tanks or oil transmission pipelines. The head of oil in the standpipe 26 places a pressure on the body of oill 3i contained in the lower'chamber 24, this pressure forcing or' diverting a` portion of the oil upwardlythrough a fllter 3.2 into the upper chamber 25, the lter 32 performing a treatment ofthe diverted oilv into the shell 21. to a, point slightly higher than` the upperend 28 of thestandpipe26.

TheV invention includes means for conducting thepperating fluid S35 from thefuppe chamber 25 to the inleirpipes I6'-`'I6a ofthe fluid-oper-V ated pumps of the? pumping system, 'this conducting means including an operating. uid Cle- -or leftward end ofthe bore.

livery header 36 with an associated pressure pump 31 which in the form of the invention shown receives the operating fluid from the upper chamber 25 through a pipe 38. As taken from the chamber 25, the operating iluid is under a pressure determined by the pressure at which the fluid is delivered in the line 29, the height of the pipe 28, and the differential pressure across the filter medium through which it must flow. The pressure of the operating fluid as it is taken from the chamber 25 may be relatively low, and in such case in being conducted to the different pump units of the pumping system it may be desirable to increase the pressure thereof sufliciently to operate the unit in the well having the greatest lift, and the flow must be divided to suitA the requirements of the individual pump units. 'I'he pump 31 accomplishes these functions by increasing the pressure of the operating iluid which is then conducted under ressure through the header 36 to each well through a control device 40 which in Fig. l is" connected to the upper end of the inlet pipe I6 of the pump unit I3. 'Ihe control device 40 is of such character that it controls the volume of operating fluid which passes to the pump unit I3 and may reduce the pressure thereof.

The controldevice 40 isrconstructed as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It includes a body 4I having a central bore 42 from which a lateral outlet passage 43 extends. A flange connector 44 is securedin alignment with the opening 43 so as to connect the pipe 'I6 therewith. Inserted in the bore 42 is a tubular member 45 which is of such.

length that a chamber 46 is left in the forward 'I'he leftward endl of the tubular member 45 is provided with aprimary bore 41 and with lateral openings 48 communicating with the discharge passage 43.v A head 49 closes the leftward end of the bore 42, this head 49 being vbolted. in place and having an opening 5I InaIignmentwIth the bore42 butfbeing of smaller diameter than the bore to provide a shoulder 52..,In' crossing relation to tlieropening 5I, the head 49 is provided with anl opening 53, in oneend of which a valve seat 54 l is formed leading through an inlet passage 56 to anange stung ss wmch'isadapd to be bolted to the head 49 for the purpose ofconnecting they operating fluid header 36 to, the inlet passage 56 ofthe control device 40. Thepper or cpposite end of the opening 53 is threaded'at 51 49.V The stem 64 is provided with a projection 61 prepared to receive a wrench. The member 63 is provided with an outwardly faced shoulder. 68 which bears against a packing ring 69 carried in an annular recess 1I formed atl the inner endV of the opening 65 of the cap` 66. To transmit fluid pressure to the inner face of the member 63, an opening V12 is formed longitudinally through the side portion of the member 58.

, Slidable in the leftward end of the bore 42 is la piston member 13 which is secured to the leftward end of a tubular stem, 14 vhaving a pin 15 therein provided with a pointed and diametrally reduced rightward. end 16 withradial openings 11 communicating with an axial opening 18 extending to the leitward end of the stem. The openings 11 andv 18 provide a passage through which fluid may -fiow from the space 5I into the rightward end of the bore to balance the iluid pressure applied to the opposite ends of the tubular stem 14. The end 18 of the pin 15 engages a plate 19 which rests against the leftward endof an adjustments'pring 8| which passes through a rotatable sleeve 82 to a block 83 having a laterally extending pin 84 therein. The ends of the pin A84 project through spiral grooves 85 in' the sleeve 82 and into longitudinal slots 86 in the rightward end of the tubular member 45 to prevent rotation of the pin 84 and the block 83 but permit movement thereof. in the direction of the axis of the bore 42. for the purpose of moving the block 83 in axial direction as the result of the spiral grooves 85 moving.with relation to the end portions of the pin 84. The sleeve 82 is closed at its rightward end and is provided with an outwardly projecting stern or extension 81 which passes through Aan opening 88 in a cover plate 89 on the rightward end of the body 4 I. i At a point within the opening 88 the stem 81 is provided with a shoulder 9| which bears against a packing ring 92 which rests against an inwardly faced shoulder 93 provided by the cover plate 89. The outer end of -the stem has a projection 94 prepared for engagement with a wrench adapted to turn the sleeve 82, and a dial plate 95 may be secured to the stem 81, this dial plate 95 being set .in a recess 96 formed in the outer portion of the cover plate 89 and being calibrated to indicate various settings of the control device. Such calibrations may be in terms of barrels per day of operating uid delivered through the inlet pipe |'6, or the calibrations may indicate the capacity of the pump unit I3 resulting from the quantity of operating iluid permitted to flow thereto by the control device 48.

The piston member 13 is provided with openings 91 forming metering orifices so that as the uid delivered to the device through the inlet passage 56 passes from the opening 5| of the head 49 through the orices 91 into the chamber 46, there will be a drop in pressure to form a pressure differential on the inner and outer sides of the piston member 13 tending to move the piston member and the stem 14 rightwardly against the leftward pressure of the spring 8|. From the chamber 46 the operating uid .passes through an annular space 98 in the leftward endv of the tubular member 45 to the radial passages 48 and nally through the outlet passage 43 to the pipe I6 leading to the pump unit I3. lA wear ring 99 is provided in an inset recess in the leftward end of the tubular member 45, and the stem 14 and a valve sleeve member |8| carried thereon have a close sliding fit inthe wear ring. The pressure diierential between the pressure in the opening 5| and the pressure in the chamber 46 plus the force exerted by the spring 8|4 determine the position of the piston 13, the stem 14, and the valve sleeve |8I. Accordingly, the pressure tending to move the piston 13 to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, may be adjusted by rotating the sleeve 82 having the spiral grooves 85 therein to give the desiredcompression to the spring 8|. x Any increase in uid pressure in the pipe 36 will be` transmitted to the fluid in the opening 5| to increase the force tending to move the piston I3 to the right, and if this force exceeds the leftward counter forces exerted by the fluid pressure in the chamber 46 and by the spring 8|, the piston 13 will move to the right. Rightward move- The sleeve 82 isrotatablebear against the packing ring ||4.

3 ment of the piston 13, however, causes the valve sleeve I8 to also move to the right towards a close t with the wear ring 99 which tends to close the annular space 98 normally between the valve sleeve and the wear ring. Partial closure .of the space 98 restricts the flow of uid from the opening 5| to the radial passages 48, so as to maintain the discharge through the outlet 43 at a substantially constant rate of ow. When the uid pressure in the opening 3| drops below the leftward pressure exerted by the iluid in the chamber 46 and by the spring 8|, the piston 13 will move to the left so as to open the annular space 98 to permit an increased ow of'iluid therethrough. y

Likewise, Ashould there be a reduction in iluid pressure in the piping I6 and the opening 43, a momentary drop inpressure in the chamber 46 would result, thereby increasing the pressure differential on the leftward and rightward faces of the piston -1 3 to cause a similar rightward movement of the piston 13 and the valve sleeve |8|.

To show the pressure of uid being delivered into the pipe I6, the control device may be provided with a pressure gauge |82. The gauge |82 has an inlet |83 into which a screw |84 is threaded. This screw |84 passes through an opening |85 in a connector ring or link |86. The ends of the opening |85 are counterbored to receive gasket rings |81 and |88 which respectively engage the lower end of the inlet |83 anda shoulbody 4| so as to communicate with the passage 43 thereof. 'The lowerend of the opening ||3 is formed with a counterbore'l I8 to receive a packing ring |4, and an axial flange I I5 is provided on the link |88 to extend into the counterbore I |'8 and The lower end of the opening .is formed with a counterbore ||5a into which a packing ring ||6 is compressed by a shoulder ||1 formed on the upper part of the head I|8 of the screw ||2. By the use of the Vgasket or packing rings shown', both ends of each opening are sealed against Vescape of fluid under pressure.

' The screw ||2 has an axial opening |I9 leading downwardly Afrom the upper end thereof and connecting with an opening I2I of larger diameter which leads upwardly from the lower end of the screw ||2. 'I'he opening |2| has avalve needle |22 threaded therein so as to enter4 the lower end of the opening ||9, this needle |22 being' provided with packing means |23 to prevent leakage therearound. Radial holes |24 lead outwardly from the upper part of the opening I2| to carry fluid under pressure into the space |25 inthe opening |I| around the body of the screw ||2. From the annular space '|25 the fluid is carried through a hole |28, diagonally drilled in the link |86, to the annular space |21 yformed in the opening |85 different depth from the remaining wells of the system, it may be desired to avoid this loss in efficiency. My invention comprehends control means in the system whereby the pressure-volume characteristics of the operating fluid delivered to one or more of the wells may be changed without great loss of efliciency, even though the change in the characteristics may be quite large. In this instance the control means embodies a fluid transformer |3|, Fig. 1, for reducing the pressure and increasing the volume of fluid delivered, and consists of a fluid-operated motor |32 of any suitable design having its shaft |33 connccted to a pressure pump |34 so as to drive the same. Pressure fluid from the header 36 is delivered through piping |35 to operate the fluid motor |32, and the discharge from the motor |32 is delivered through a pipe |36 into the pipe |6a which leads to the pump unit |3a in the well and which also has a control device 40 connected therein.

The operating fluid pipe |38 carries clean fluid from the chamber 25 to the inlet of the pressure pump |34, and this operating fluid is discharged from the pump |34 through a pipe |39 into the pipe |6a to be combined with the fluid which has been discharged into the pipe I6aby the vmotor 32. In this way .the power represented in the drop in pressure of fluid through themotor |32 is employedto compress other operating fluid, and the efficiency losses thereby occasioned are limited to frictional losses of the motor |32 and the pump |34. 'I'he fluid flow-pressure transformer |3| may have the motor |32 and the pump |34. thereof so proportioned that the operating fluid passing throughthe pipe |6a may have any desiredpressure lower than the pressure of the fluid in the header 36, so that the 'requirement of any shallow well in the pumping system may be met without undue efficiency losses.

As shown in Fig. 4, the motor |32 and the pump |34 may be connected so as to produce a higher pressure in the pipe |6a. In this form of the invention the pipe |35 leading from the header 3,6l

is connected to the inlet of the motor |32, and is also connected -through a pipe |4| with the inlet of thepump |34. The discharge of the motor |32` is connected through a. pipe |42 with they pipe |38 leading to the fluid supply chamber 25,

and the discharge of the pump |34 is connected througha-pipe |43 with the pipe |6a having a control valve 40 therein.. In thisr hookup the motor'l32 and the pump |34 both receive operating fluid under pressure. The operating fluid received under pressure by the pump |34 is increased in pressure by the pump and is discharged at such increased pressurel into the pipe |6a leading to the pump |3a in the well. By the use of the pressure transformer shown in Fig. 4, the operating fluid under pressure in the header 36 may be increased to any desired high pressure for the operation of a pump set in a deep well, without excessive losses in efllciency.. A p

A's shown in Fig. 6, the adjustable control means for the individual pump units in the 'wells of av only serve as a means'for controlling the production, Abut also asmeans for preventing the racing v of the pump unit should the pumping load be removed, as, for instance, by the entrance of a pocket Gigasl into the pump element ofthe pumpv unit.' `.'I'his adjustable control-means is an im.

provement on the `control mechanism vshown in myco-pending application, Serial No. 720,059..

led April 11, 1934, to which reference is hereby made. This control member, indicated by 43h, is provided with a body |44 of tubular form internally threaded at its upper end |45 for connection to the lower end of the tubing bleeder |5a disposed at the lower end of the pipe I6 which carries the operating fluid down through the well to the pump unit I3. Employing the same principles of construction as the device shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the body |44 has an interior space |41 in which a piston |48 is vertically movable. This piston |48 has a tube |49 extending downwardly therefrom into the diametrally reduced bore |5| of the body |44. A spring |53, bearing against the lower end of the tube |49, tends to move the tube and piston |48 upwardly. A pressure differential to move the piston downwardly is produced by metering orifices |55 in the piston through which the operating fluid must pass from the chamber |56 above the piston |48 to the chamber |51 formed below the piston |48. An increase in pressure above the piston |48, or a decrease in pressure below the piston, will increase the pressure differential and move the piston downwardly against the action of the adjustment spring |53, causing valve openings |58 inthe wall of the tube |49 to move downwardly relative to the upper end |59 of the'bore l|5I, thereby restricting at this pointV` the area of passage for'the fluid which' passes through the openings |56 and then 'through radial lpassagesr |60 and down through vlongitudinal passages |6| vwhich extend .to the lower end f of the bodyI |44-and connectwith a chamber |62 in a tubular part |6Ia threaded"at |62a to the` lower end of the body |44;

an adjusting plug |63 which is screwed into Y threads |64 at the lower end of the bore |5|. The plug |63 has a flattened tongue |65 which projects downwardly in through a slot |66 formed in the. upper end of a body. |61 which is disposed within' the tubular member |6|a, and vwhich body |61 is threaded into the upper end of the,`

motor to operate the pump mechanism. The

body |44 of the control valve and theV member |6|a thereof are rotatable relative to thebody |61 which is secured in the upper end of the .motor. The adjusting plug |63, being connectedthrough the use of the tongue -|65 with the body |61, remains stationary when the operating fluid delivery pipe |6,v andlikewise the valve body |44, are turned with theresult thatby rotation of the valve body |44, the adjustingplugv |63 may be caused to screw upwardly or` downwardly in the lower end of the bore |5| so as to change the compression of the spring |53 and thereby change the adjustment of the control valve; This form of the control valve `is adjusted by turning the fluid delivery pipe |6 until a desired flow of oil from the well is obtained. Packing means |69 are provided betweenfthe body.` |61 and the member |6|af to prevent-leakage of fluid from the space |62.v l

The form ofcontrolv'alve .shown in.Fig. -`6,` which permits its location directly --above theI pump unit, performs a dual f'function. vilt not only serves as a means for controlling the production of the pumping equipment, but also.

The body |61` hasv passages |68 therein serves asv a governor for. 'preventing excessivespeed in the operationof the pump -unit'. i3.

Should a pocket of gas enter the pump element 35'- The lower'end of the spring |53 rests against y of the unit I3 so that the pumping load would be suddenly reduced, there would be a tendency for the motor I5 to race due to removal of the pumping load. This racing of the pumping device cannot occur when the control valve is employed as shown in Fig. 6 for the reason that any drop in pressure in the lower chamber |51 will increase the pressure differential applied to the piston A|48 with the result that the piston |48 and its stem |49 will move downwardly so as to shut down the valve formed by the passages |58 inthe stem |49, controlling the ow of operating iluid which is delivered to the pump motor .I5 and thereby preventing operation of the same at an excessive speed which might be harmful to the reciprocating parts of the pumping mechanism. The valve illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 functions in the same manner, but since a large volume of fluid may be contained in the pressure line: I6 between the valve-and the pump unit, the ex. pansion of this fluid, if the load is released from the pump, would be suiilcient to operate the pump l5 a number of complete cycles at high speed, and the valve located at the top of the well could not control this rate of expansion.

In Fig. 5 I show a form of the invention in which the compressor means for the operating iluid are disposed near the wells in which the pump units |3.are placed. 'I'he discharge pipes |1 of a part of the wells are shown connected vto a production header |10 leading toward a means for oil disposal consisting of a storage tank III. 'Ihe remaining wells of the pumping system may, if desired, be connected to other oil disposal means, andillustrative. of this I have shown the production pipe |69 of the third well not connected to the production header |10. The header |10 is shown connected to an oil treater |12 in which a part of the production is diverted through a pipe |13 to an operating iiuid supply tank |14. A conducting means for the operating fluid leads from the tank |14 to the inlet pipes I6 of the pump units I3. The conducting means consists of a pipe |15 and pressure pumps |16, each of which has its own drive means in the form of a motor |11: The operation -of each pump |15 may be individually-controlled to suit the requirements of the well with which it is associated. j

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in simple and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts-or elements thereof are representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the defull scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A well pumping. system of the character described, including: a plurality of duid-operated pump-units placed so as to pump from a plurality of wells, there being a pressure fluid inlet pipe connecting with the fluid-operated motor of each of said pump units, and there being a production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from said production discharge member; means for diverting a portion of saidproduction; a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating iiuid for said pump units; and means for conducting the operating fluid to said pressure uid inlet pipes of said pump umts, said conducting means infrom the other of said units, there being a pres-l sure uid inlet pipe connecting with the fluidoperated motor of'each of said4 pump units, and

there being ya production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from said production dise charge member; means for diverting a portion of said production; a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pump units; means for conducting the operatingV fluid to said pressure iiuid inlet pipes of said pump units, said conducting means including individual compressor means lin eachvof said fluid inlet pipe lines for placing said operating fluid under pressure so that it will operate said iiuid operated motors of said pump units; and control means connected with each of said pressure fluid inlet pipes for separately regulating the iow oi operating fluid to the individual pump units and maintaining the iiow to each of said units substantially constant.

3. A well pumping system of the character described, including: a plurality of fluid-operated pump units placed so as to pump from a plurality of wells, there being a pressure fluid inlet'pipe connecting with the fluid-operated motor of each of said pump units, and there being a production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from said production discharge member; means for diverting a portion of said production; a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pump units; means 'for conducting the operating iluid to said pressure fluid vinlet pipes of saidpump units, said conducting means including individual compressor means in each of said fluid inlet pipe lines for placing said operating fluid under pressure so that it will operate said Huid-operated motors of said pump units; and control means connected to one of said pressure iiuid inlet pipes for positively regulating the pressure-volume characteristics of the operating fluid delivered to one of said pump units as desired independently of the load on said unit.

4. A well pumping system of the character described, including: a plurality of duid-operated pump units placedvso as to pump from a plurality of wells, there beinga' pressure fluid inlet pipe con#` necting with the fluid-operated'motor of each of y said pump units, and there being a production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from said production dischargemember; means for diverting a portion of said production a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pump units; means for conducting the operating Huid to said pressure iiuid inlet pipes of said pump units, said conducting means including individual compressor means in each of said uid inlet pipe lines for placing said operating fluid under pressure so that it will operate said fluid-operated motors of said pump units; and a meteringdevice connected to one of-said inlet pipes so that operating uid will nass thernthrmwh am mman-M am.; i

`of said pump units, and therebeing a production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping for` receiving'the production f rom said production discharge member; means for di f verting a portion of said production; a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pump Y units; means for conducting the operating fluid to said pressure fluid 'inlet pipes of said pump units, said conducting means including individual compressor means in' each of said fluid -inlet pipe lines for placing saidoperating fiuidunder pressure so that it will operate saidA iluid-operat'ed motors of said pump units; a casing connectedfbetween one of said inlet pipes andgsaid conducting means,

said casing having its intake connected to saidf conducting means and its outlet connected to said j inlet pipe and having means therein movable in response to changes in the pressure differential between said intake and said outlet; and valve meansV operatively connected to said movable means adapted to vary the flow of the operating fluid delivered to the pump unit connected to said inlet pipe..

6. A well pumping system of the character described, including: a plurality of huid-operated pump units placed so as to pump from a plurality of Wells, there kbeing a pressure fluid inlet pipe connected with the duid-operated motor of each of said pump units, and there being a production discharge member. associated with each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from said production discharge member; means for diverting aportion of said production; a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pump f units;.means for conducting the operating uid to said pressure fluid inlet pipes of said pump units, said conducting means. including compressor means for placing said operating fluid under pressure so that it will operate said fluid-operated imo tors of said pump units; a casing connectedbetween one of' said inlet pipes and said conducting I Y means; a movable member in said casing dividingV n the same into a pair of chambers, one of' which,V

is connected to said inlet pipe, and theother of f.

Y which is connectedto said conducting means;l

` eratively connected to said movable means adapted tovary the pressure-volume characterisoriflce means connecting said chambers and caus` ing a drop ,in pressurebetween saidchambers so move said movable member; and valve means optics of the operating fluid delivered to the pump unit connected to said inlet pipe.

7. A well pumping systemof. the character det scribed, including: a plurality of vduid-operated pump units placed so as to pump from a plurality of wells, there being a pressure fluid inlet pipe connecting with the fluid-operated motor of each of said pumpunlts.' 'and there being a. production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping' forreceiving the production from said' "production discharge member;,means fordivert- -otherl of 1 which is connected to said conducting `means; orifice means connecting saidv chambers and causing a dropin pressure between said'chambers so asto produce a pressure `differential tend-l ing to move 'said movable member; valve means operatively connected to saidV movable pmeans jadapted, to vary the pressure-volume` characteristics of the operating iluid delivered to the lpump unit connected to Asaid inlet pipe; and'resilient means for resisting the movementoi' said movable member.

' 8. A well pumping system of the character described, including:Y a plurality of fluid-operated ,pump units placed so as to pump from a plurality n of wells, there being a pressure `fluid in1etpipe connecting with the fluid-operated motor of each unit; piping for.receiving theproduction `from saidA production discharge member;.meansjfor diverting a portionr of said production; a treating device for converting said diverted portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pump units; means for conducting the operating uid to said-pressure fluid inlet pipes of said pump units, said conducting means including individual compressor means in each of said uid inlet pipe lines for placing said operating fluid under pressure so that vit will operate said iluid-operated motors of said pump units; and control means in one of said wells adjacent one of said pump units, said control means being connected to-the inlet pipe of the pump unit and maintaining a sub-` stantially constant flow of operating fluid to said pump unit.

9. A well pumping vsystem of the character de?. scribed, including: a plurality of fluid-operated of said pump units, and there beinga production ldischarge member associatedv withvfeach pump unit; piping for-receivingthe production vfrom said production discharge .membermeans -for diverting aportion of said production;v a, treating device Afor converting said diverted portionof the of said pump units, and there being a production discharge memberv associated with each pump 30- production into an operating fluid for said .pump

units; means for conducting'the operating fluid tosaid pressure fluid inlet pipes of' s'aid" pump units,V said conducting means including individual compressor means in each ofsaid'lluid inlet pipe lines for placing saidcoperating fluid under pressure'so that it will operate said fluid-operated motors of said pump units; and v,adjustable control meansinone of said wells adjacent onerof said pump units; said controlfrrieansA beingfconl nected to ythe inlet`pipeofthe pump unit Vand maintainlng'a substantially constant 'fiow'of operating fluid to said, pump unit. n

' 10. A huid-,operated pumping device.--includ ing: a huid-operated pumplngunit disposed, ina y well, there being a tubular fluid inlet member extending fromsaid philip-unit; an.operating"fluid delivery pipe extending downwardly into said well; a valve casing connecting said delivery pipe to said inlet member, said casing having a valve port through which said operating fluidflows from said delivery pipe to said inlet member; a member in said casing movable in response-to a decrease in the pressure of operating fluid in said inlet member and having a part which reduces the effective area of said valve port as the pressure in said inlet member decreases relative to the pressure of operating fluid in said delivery pipe; resilient means exerting a force to resist the movement of said movable member; and means operative from the top of the well to adust said resilient means so as to vary the resisting force exerted thereby.

11. A fluid-operated pumping device, including: a fluid-operating pumping unit disposed in a well, there being a tubular fluid inlet member extending from said pump unit; an operating fluid delivery pipe extending downwardly into said well; a valve casing connecting said delivery pipe to said inlet member, said /casing having a valve port through which said operating fluid flows from said delivery pipe to said inlet member; a member in said casing movable in response to a decrease in the pressure oi"` operating fluid in said inlet member and having apart which reduces the eiective area of said valve port as the pressure in said inlet member decreases relative to the pressure of operating fluid in said delivery pipe; spring means exerting a force to resist the movement of said movable member; and means operative from the top of the Well tol adjust said `spring means so as to vary the resisting force exerted thereby.

12. A fluid-operated pumping device, including: al fluid-operating pumping unit disposed in a well, there being a tubular fluid inlet member extending from said pump unit; an operating fluid delivery pipe; a governor connecting said delivery pipe to said inlet member, and controlling the flow of operating fluid to said pump unit; and means operative from the top of the Well to adjustsaid governor so as to change the flow of operating fluid therethrough.

13. A well pumping system of the character described, including: a fluid-operated pump unit placed so as to pump from a well, including a fluid-operated production motor; a pipe connecting the intake o f said production motor with a source of supply of operating fluid adapted to operate said motor; pressure means associated with said pipe and adapted to deliver said operating fluid under pressure through said pipe to said production motor; and transformer means in the line of said pipe adapted to reduce the pressure in said pipe, said transformer means including an auxiliary fluid-operated motor having its inlet connected to said pipe and having its discharge connected to said intake of said production motor, and an auxiliary pump driven by said auxiliary motor and having its discharge connected to said intake and having its inlet connected toa source of supply of said operating fluid. A

14. A well pumping systemof the character described, including: a plurality of fluid-operated pump units placed so as to pump from a plurality of Wells, each of said units including a fluid-operated production motor; a pipe connecting the intake of each of said production motorswith a source of supply of operating fluid adapted to l operate said motors; pressure means associated with said pipes and adapted to deliver said operi 7 ating fluid under pressure through said pipes to each of said production motors; and transformer means in the line of one of said pipes leading to a specifled well motor adapted to reduce thel pressure in said pipe, said transformer means including an auxiliary fluid-operated motor hav'- ing its inlet connected to said pipe and having its discharge connected to the intake of said specified well motor, and an auxiliary pump driven by said auxiliary motor and having its discharge connected to the intake of said specified well motor and having its inlet connected to a source of supply of said operating fluid.

,15. A well pumping system of the character described, including: a fluid-operated pump unit r operate ,said motor; pressure means associated with said pipe and adapted to deliver said operating fluid under pressure through said pipe to said lproduction motor; and transformer means in the line of said pipe adapted to increase the pressure lin saidpipe, said transformer means including an auxiliary fluid-operated motor having its inlet connected to said pipe and having its discharge connected to a source of supply of said operating fluid, andan auxiliary pump driven by said auxiliary motor and having its inlet connected to said pipe and having its discharge connected to said intake of said production motor.

16. A well pumping system of the character described, including:y a plurality offluid-operated pump units placed so as to pump from a plurality of wells, each of said units including a fluid-operated production motor; a pipe connecting the intake of each of said production motors with a source of supply of operating fluid adapted to operate said motors; pressure means associated with said pipes and adapted to deliver said operating fluid under pressure through said pipes to each of said production motors;Y and transformer means'in the line of one of saidpipes leading to a specified well motor adapted to increase the pressure in said pipe, said transformer means including an auxiliary fluid-operated motor having its inlet connected to said pipe and having its discharge connected toa source of supply 'of said operating fluid, and an auxiliary pump driven by said auxiliary motor and having its inlet connected to said pipe and having its discharge connected to said intake of said production motor.

17. A well pumping system of the-character described, including: a plurality of fluid-operated pump units placed so as to pump a production flow from a plurality of wells, each of said units including a fluid-operated production motor; a pipe connecting the intake of each of said production motors with a common source of supply of operating fluid adapted to operate said motors,

at least a portion ofthe production flow fromv one A of wells, each of said units including a fluid-operated production motor; a pipe connecting the intake of each of said production motors with a source of supply of operating fluid adapted to i operate said motors; pressure means associated with said pipes and adapted to deliver said operating fluid under pressure through said pipes to each of said production motors; and a trans--v formervmeans in the line of one of said pipes leading to a specified production motor adapted to reduce the pressureand increase the volume of operating fluid delivered to said specified production motor.

19. A well pumping system of'the character described, including: a plurality of fluid-operated "pump-'units placed -so as to pump from a plurality-.of wells, eachof said units Vincluding a fluid-operated production motor; a pipe connect- .ing the intake of each of said production motors with a source of supply of operating fluid adapted to operate said motors; pressure means'associatediwith said pipes and adapted todeliver said operating'uid under pressure through said pipes to each of saidproduction motors; and transvformer means in the line of one ofsaid pipes delivery pipe extending from a source 'of supplyv of operating fluid to said pump mechanism for delivering said operating fluid thereto; a governor connected' to said-delivery pipe so that operating fluid will pass through said governor, said governor normally maintaining the flow of operating fluid into `said motor ata substantially constant rate but being constructed and'arranged so that, throughout its effective operating range,

it maintains such volume of flow of fluid 'to said motor as to maintain'a substantially constant motor speed regardless of fluctuations in load on said pump; and means for manually adjusting said governor during the operation thereof so as.A to change the rate of flow of said operating fluid.

2l, A-fluid operated deep well pumping mech'- `anism,of the character described, including: a

pump mechanism adapted. to Vbe *placed in a well, saidpump mechanism. comprising. a Vfluid motor and-a pump unit connected to said fluidv motorv sc as'to be driven thereby;` anoperating fluiddelivery pipe extending from a source of supplyof operating fluid-to-saidj-pump mechanism for delivering saidoperating fluid thereto;

av governor connectedto said delivery. pipe sol that operating fluid will-pass lthrough said governor, said governor normally maintaining the flow of operating fluid into said motor'atv a substantially constant rate but being constructed and arranged so that, throughout itsV effective operating' range, it' maintains suchvolume of flow .of fluid to said motor as to maintain asub stantially constant motor speed regardiessbf fluctuations in load `on ,said pump; means.. forv manually adjusting said governor during -fthe operation thereof so as to change the rate of flow of said operating fluid; and indicating means nssociatedwlth said governor for indicating the specified pro'- amount of operating fluid flowing through-said governor. l

22. A well pumping system of the character described, including: a plurality of fluid-operated pump units placed so as' to pump from a plurality of wells, each of said pump units including a fluid-operated motor, at least one of said pump units requiring operating fluid having flow characteristics different from theother of the remaining units, there being a pressure fluid inlet pipe connecting with the fluid-operated motor of each of said pump units. and there being a production discharge member associated with each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from at least .one of said productionv discharge members; means for diverting a portion `of.` said production 'from said piping; a treating device for converting said. diverted portion of the .production into an operating fluid for said v pump units; means for conducting the operating fluid VtosaidA pressure` fluid inlet pipes of said pump units; said conducting means including a compressor for` placing said operating fluid underpressure sothat`it-will operate fsaid'iluldoperated motors of said pump units;l and a. fluid ilowgovernor connected with the pressure fluid inlet pipe leading to said one vof said pump units and adapted to be adjusted during-the operation thereof toprovide a flow of pressure fluid to said oneof said pump units in accordance with the required flow. characteristics. thereof, said governor being so arranged and constructedthat,

.throughout its effective operating range, it maintains such volume of flow of pressure fluid to said fluid inlet pipe asv to operate said pump unit at a substantially constant speed regardless of' fluctuations in load on said Dump unit.

23.A wellpumping system of the character i described,inc1uding: a plurality of fluid-operated pump. units placed-.so as to pump from aplurality of wells, each of s'aid pump units including a fluid-operated motor, at least jone of said pump'units requiring operating fluid having flow characteristics different from ,the other of the remaining units, there being a pressure fluid inlet pipe connecting withthe fluid-operated motor of each of said pump units, and -there being a production discharge member associated with i each pump unit; piping for receiving the production from at least one of said production discharge members; means for diverting aportion of said production from said. piping; a treating device for-.converting said:diverted. portion of the production into an operating fluid for said pumpjunits; means'for conducting the operating fluid to said pressure fluid inlet pipes of said `pump units, said-conducting meanslncluding a compressor for placing said. operating fluid .un-

'der pressure so that it. will operate said iluidoperatedmotors of said pumpunit's; and a -fluid fiowgovernor connected with the pressure fluid inlet. pipeleading" to each of 'said'pump unitsl and' adapted to be vadjusted during the operation i;h'ereofto provide a 'ow ofipressure fluid tor each of said pump units .in accordance with the re- ;quired flow characteristicsthereof, said gov-- ernors being so arranged and constructed that,

- throughout their effective operating ranges, they maintain such volumes of flow of pressure fluid to their associated fluid inlet pipes as. to operate said pump units at a substantially constant speed regardless of fluctuations in load on said pump units.

CLARENCE JAMES COBERLY. 

